WQ93557 (e) Tabled on 18/07/2024

What assessment has the Cabinet Secretary made of the effectiveness of the Welsh Government's oversight of health boards?

Answered by Cabinet Secretary for Health, Social Care and Welsh Language | Answered on 22/07/2024

The Oversight and Intervention framework was published in January 2024, replacing the framework that had been in place since 2014.

The new framework demonstrates how Welsh Government triangulates information on quality, planning (workforce and finance), delivery (performance and quality), patient experience and quality of services based on the six escalation domains.

The oversight and escalation arrangements enable discussions between the various partners to discuss any concerns they may have with NHS organisations. Based on the assessment of health organisations, informed by these discussions, my officials make recommendations to me around the escalation status of each health organisation.

As highlighted in the framework, organisations that are escalation will need to achieve specific de-escalation criteria before I will consider the recommendations for de-escalation. If any deterioration is noted, there is an opportunity for organisations to be further escalated.

The implementation and effectiveness of the oversight and escalation arrangements will be reviewed later this year to ensure that it remains effective and relevant.